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Please Note – Due to a Holiday break, there will be no PEIFA Today morning email starting Friday August 25, it will return on Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Local, Regional, Canadian News

Dundas fairgrounds ready for plowing match and agriculture fair

Everything old will be back in style during the 77th annual Provincial Plowing Match and Agriculture Fair this weekend. MORE

Strong loonie not major threat: FCC economist

The Canadian dollar’s flirtations with the 80 U.S. cent mark is not likely to undermine agriculture’s potential for the rest of the year, said the principal agricultural economist at Farm Credit Canada. MORE

Trio of groups proposes Alberta-based agrifood ‘supercluster’

Agrium, Olds College and global satellite communications corporation MDA have submitted an application to the federal government to form an agrifood “supercluster.” MORE

Mexico, Canada dismiss Trump threats to scrap NAFTA

Mexico and Canada on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to scrap NAFTA, describing it as a negotiating tactic designed to gain an advantage during talks to update one of the world’s biggest trading blocs. MORE

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Securing Pesticides

Recently, we’ve been getting some questions from growers about how to properly secure pesticides in vehicles and on the farm. This is a great question. Properly securing pesticides will ensure that only you and other properly trained employees are able to access and use these products. This will minimize the potential for human harm and prevent environmental damage. It can also prevent vandalism and theft.

Here is what you need to know about securing pesticides.

On the farm, pesticides must be kept in a location that can be secured or locked when the grower or their employees are not around. The best way to meet this requirement is to keep pesticides in a building, room, or cabinet that can be locked. You can also meet this requirement by simply ensuring that pesticides are kept behind closed doors or in a closed cabinet, out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.

In or on a vehicle, pesticides must be secured to the vehicle to prevent spills or leaks during transport. This means that pesticide containers cannot roll over, fall, or break open, even when the road is uneven or bumpy. The best way to keep pesticides secure during transport is to place the containers in a separate cargo box that can be locked. If your vehicle does not have a separate box, you can fasten pesticide containers to the vehicle with hauling straps (bungee cords are not an appropriate alternative to hauling straps).

If you need to leave the vehicle unattended while transporting pesticides, they must be locked in a compartment so they are not accessible to the public. If you do not have a lockable box on your vehicle, you cannot leave it unattended. Drive straight from your vendor to your pesticide storage facility.

In addition to these requirements, here are a few best practices that you should consider:

transport pesticides by themselves

always keep pesticides away from sharp items that could puncture or split a container during transport

ask if your vendor can deliver your products to you

make sure there are no broken bags or open cartons and no leaking containers

never accept any damaged containers from your vendor

make sure that each container has a label

keep a list of the pesticides, with their full name and PCPA registration number, in case pesticides leak or spill from your vehicle during an accident.

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Livestock

CME live cattle resume trek to nine-month low

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Wednesday hit a nine-month low for the fourth time in the past five sessions, led by seasonally soft wholesale beef demand and lower initial cash prices, said traders. MORE

US Feedlots Continue to Sell Slaughter Ready Animals During July

On Friday, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will publish their monthly “Cattle on Feed” report, which is based on a survey of all feedlots with an animal capacity of 1,000 head or more, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

IFA Seeks Urgent Meeting with Ag Minister on Beef Cuts

IFA President Joe Healy has written to the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed seeking an urgent meeting to address the serious situation for livestock farmers resulting from the severe factory price cuts over recent weeks. MORE

Study Compares Cost of Meat in Over 50 Countries Worldwide

Online catering marketplace, Caterwings, have conducted a study regarding the global price of basic food items, as preliminary research ahead of their expansion into foreign markets. MORE

Most Markets Balanced; Not Many Price Changes

This week, the European slaughter pig market appears to be balanced overall. The majority of quotations remain unchanged, appearing stable on the level achieved so far. In some countries, the prices for pigs for slaughter are back to going slightly down. MORE

Access to Research Improves Decision Making When Moving to Group Sow Housing

A research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre says the more access producers have to information on the various options for group sow housing the better equipped they’ll be in deciding how to transition from stalls MORE

Former Dutch government minister to lead tainted egg probe

The Dutch government appointed a former justice minister Wednesday to lead an investigation into the illegal use of a pesticide to treat laying hens for lice infestations, which sparked a food scare in Europe and beyond and led to the destruction of millions of eggs. MORE

McDonald’s to start cutting global antibiotic use in chickens

McDonald’s Corp. on Wednesday said that it would begin curbing the use of important human antibiotics in its global chicken supply in 2018, as the fast-food giant joins a broad effort to battle dangerous superbugs. MORE

MPIC Committee to Evaluate Varieties for 2018
The Variety Release Committee of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) will meet on Thursday of this week beginning at the Commission’s Demonstration Storages in Montcalm at 10:00 am. The goal for the day is twofold; first to look at the Box Bin Trials at the Montcalm Research Center; and to look at the bulk plantings of varieties that will be placed in the storage facilities. MORE

Produce industry veteran Dave Rhodes has joined the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) as the commission’s retail promotion director for the Northeast. He will be based in Indianapolis. He replaces Ken Tubman, who is retiring after 15 years of service. MORE

AGCO RoGator C Series Applicator

Exclusive LiquidLogic system provides effective cleanout, precise rates, greater control for on-target application and less product waste. MORE

The government in Rwanda has signed a multimillion dollar deal with a Nigerian investor to revamp and develop the country’s potato industry and help make this country a key producer and exporter of potato products. MORE

Those tomatoes in your local grocery store, they took a lot of work. MORE

Getting down to your roots

Crop Diagnostic School offered a cutaway view of how crop roots move through soil MORE

Farming has changed climate almost as much as deforestation

Agriculture has contributed nearly as much to climate change as deforestation by intensifying global warming, according to U.S. research that has quantified the amount of carbon taken from the soil by farming. MORE

Canola rangebound ahead of harvest

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts moved off of chart support during the week ended Wednesday, to hit its highest levels in two weeks. MORE

UAVs and crop scouting. Are they worth it?

Seven organizations supported a two-year study on whether drones can provide practical benefits to farmers MORE

Corn, soybeans eye Tropical Storm Harvey

The potential for a storm in the Gulf of Mexico to bring rain to parts of the U.S. Midwest has caught the attention of the grain and oilseed markets. MORE

Corn falls to 2017 lows on plentiful global stocks

U.S. corn futures sank to their lowest levels of the year on Wednesday on fund-driven technical selling and plentiful global grain supplies, analysts said. MORE

On August 12, 1971, hundreds of PEI farmers boarded their tractors and proceeded to bring traffic to a halt on the province’s major roadways. Held during the peak of the tourism season, the demonstration continued for ten days. This talk examines the highway demonstration’s inspiration, context, and consequences. The farmers were protesting the way the provincial government had neglected issues around family farms and the Government’s lack of promotion of economic rationalization and modernization which had been set out in the government’s 1969 Comprehensive Development Plan. Dr. O’Conner has a Ph.D. in Canadian history, with expertise in the history of environmental activism, the Sixties, oral history, the history of recycling, and Canadian politics.
The event will start with a nutritious and delicious brunch at 11:30. After brunch, the talk will commence. The meal will be served in the room that once hosted Earl Grey, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and John McCrea at the same time, as guests of Sir Andrew MacPhail.
The cost is $25.00 ($20 for members).
Please call the MacPhail Homestead at 902-651-2789 to make your reservation.

5th Palmer Conference (2017)

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16

The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.

The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017

Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.

For more information please call 902-969-1632

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Thought leaders to come together to learn more about public trust in food and farming

Interest in public trust in the food system and the challenge to earn it with consumers continues to grow – from the farm and ranch right through to Canada’s largest food service companies. A unique mix of thought leaders of all ages from throughout the country, across supply chains, governments, industries and academia will come together in Calgary next month.

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) Public Trust Summit “Tackling Transparency – the Truth about Trust” will be held September 18-20th. MORE

Island Organic Picnic Sunday, September 24, 2017 4-7PM

Come join your PEI organic farmers & friends to celebrate another growing season, another harvest, and all of the important, hard work that goes into the good food we are so fortunate to eat. Lots to catch up on!

This year’s fundraising event will take the form of a gourmet picnic, as always featuring the variety and outstanding quality of organic food grown locally by our members across the Island, and prepared by the wonderful Chef Emily Wells of the Mill in New Glasgow. Festivities will also include garden games, face painting, an organic-inspired raffle, cash bar, music and more, all taking place in Canada’s largest community garden – the Legacy Garden in downtown Charlottetown.

Tickets are $35/$15 for children under 10 (children under 2 are free)/$20 for PEI COPC members.

The picnic will include:
– Your choice of a drink (kombucha, beer, wine)
– A variety of main dishes, soup and salads
– A dessert

In the event of rain/inclement weather, the fun will be moved indoors, to the Farm Centre.

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Agriculture Canada has tripled the number of certified organic acres it is growing on P.E.I., including fields in the heart of Charlottetown. MORE

Weekend rain eases drought somewhat

There was some welcome rain on P.E.I. last week, but farmers say it will need to keep coming for a good potato crop. MORE

Cape Breton Farmers Exhibition celebrates 101 years of operation

Farm animals of all shapes and sizes are getting all of the attention they can handle this week at the 101st-annual Cape Breton Farmers Exhibition. MORE

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Scouts Canada is planning to plant 750 trees on Saturday in a Fort McMurray park devastated by last year’s wildfire. MORE

Securing Pesticides

Recently, we’ve been getting some questions from growers about how to properly secure pesticides in vehicles and on the farm. This is a great question. Properly securing pesticides will ensure that only you and other properly trained employees are able to access and use these products. This will minimize the potential for human harm and prevent environmental damage. It can also prevent vandalism and theft.

Here is what you need to know about securing pesticides.

On the farm, pesticides must be kept in a location that can be secured or locked when the grower or their employees are not around. The best way to meet this requirement is to keep pesticides in a building, room, or cabinet that can be locked. You can also meet this requirement by simply ensuring that pesticides are kept behind closed doors or in a closed cabinet, out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.

In or on a vehicle, pesticides must be secured to the vehicle to prevent spills or leaks during transport. This means that pesticide containers cannot roll over, fall, or break open, even when the road is uneven or bumpy. The best way to keep pesticides secure during transport is to place the containers in a separate cargo box that can be locked. If your vehicle does not have a separate box, you can fasten pesticide containers to the vehicle with hauling straps (bungee cords are not an appropriate alternative to hauling straps).

If you need to leave the vehicle unattended while transporting pesticides, they must be locked in a compartment so they are not accessible to the public. If you do not have a lockable box on your vehicle, you cannot leave it unattended. Drive straight from your vendor to your pesticide storage facility.

In addition to these requirements, here are a few best practices that you should consider:

transport pesticides by themselves

always keep pesticides away from sharp items that could puncture or split a container during transport

ask if your vendor can deliver your products to you

make sure there are no broken bags or open cartons and no leaking containers

never accept any damaged containers from your vendor

make sure that each container has a label

keep a list of the pesticides, with their full name and PCPA registration number, in case pesticides leak or spill from your vehicle during an accident.

Island Organic Picnic Sunday, September 24, 2017 4-7PM

Come join your PEI organic farmers & friends to celebrate another growing season, another harvest, and all of the important, hard work that goes into the good food we are so fortunate to eat. Lots to catch up on!

This year’s fundraising event will take the form of a gourmet picnic, as always featuring the variety and outstanding quality of organic food grown locally by our members across the Island, and prepared by the wonderful Chef Emily Wells of the Mill in New Glasgow. Festivities will also include garden games, face painting, an organic-inspired raffle, cash bar, music and more, all taking place in Canada’s largest community garden – the Legacy Garden in downtown Charlottetown.

Tickets are $35/$15 for children under 10 (children under 2 are free)/$20 for PEI COPC members.

The picnic will include:
– Your choice of a drink (kombucha, beer, wine)
– A variety of main dishes, soup and salads
– A dessert

In the event of rain/inclement weather, the fun will be moved indoors, to the Farm Centre.

Thought leaders to come together to learn more about public trust in food and farming

Interest in public trust in the food system and the challenge to earn it with consumers continues to grow – from the farm and ranch right through to Canada’s largest food service companies. A unique mix of thought leaders of all ages from throughout the country, across supply chains, governments, industries and academia will come together in Calgary next month.

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) Public Trust Summit “Tackling Transparency – the Truth about Trust” will be held September 18-20th. MORE

Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16

The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.

The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017

Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.

For more information please call 902-969-1632

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Livestock

New president for Beef Grading Agency
Marty Carpenter is the new president of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency, taking over from Dennis Laycraft who has been acting president since January. MORE

CME live cattle break four-session losing skid

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Tuesday settled higher for the first time in five sessions, spurred by short-covering and bargain buying, said traders. MORE

Feeder cattle price trends outperformed normal seasonal price patterns during July, showing some resilience in the midst of plummeting slaughter cattle prices that began in June, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

Mechanism Impairing Production of Bovine Embryos Revealed

A longstanding obstacle to the market for bovine embryos is about to be removed. Researchers have described a hitherto unknown mechanism of lipid accumulation in oocytes that limits the success of in vitro production of bovine embryos. MORE

Pimelea Cattle Poisoning Researchers Collecting Samples

Queensland cattle producers are being encouraged to collect Pimelea plant samples and assist scientists who are researching ways to stop cattle being poisoned by the toxic plant. MORE

Successful NAFTA Renegotiation Could Enhance North American Global Competitiveness

The Canadian Meat Council suggests a successful NAFTA renegotiation could enhance the competitiveness of Canada, the United States and Mexico in international markets for meat MORE

Another Slow Month for EU Pork Exports

The slowdown in EU pork exports continued in June, with volumes down 25 per cent year-on-year at 158,300 tonnes, reports Bethan Wilkins, AHDB Pork analyst. MORE

Danish Crown Signs MoU with Alibaba Group’s Tmall

Yesterday, the world’s largest pork exporter Danish Crown signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tmall, one of Alibaba Group’s business-to consumer e-marketplaces in China, at a ceremony in Copenhagen. MORE

Poultry boards not letting their guard down as NAFTA preparations begin

The U.S. has a healthy trade surplus with Canada for eggs and poultry MORE

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Crop Diversification Centre South (CDCS) in Brooks is holding a Potato Field Day on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, starting at 1 p.m. MORE

Solynta develops a blight resistant potato variety (non-GMO)

The Dutch company Solynta has developed a potato variety that is resistant to late blight (Phytophthora Infestans). As a result, it could greatly reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture, the Financieele Dagblad (FD) reported on Monday. MORE

Tolsma-Grisnich Is Nominated for PotatoEurope 2017 Innovation Award

Tolsma-Grisnich Storage Technology, which developed a unique sensor to measure the temperature at different locations and heights within a bulk potato storage facility, has been nominated for a PotatoEurope 2017 Innovation Award. MORE

Grain-only operation one of several tours organized by the Manitoba Organic Alliance MORE

Check moisture before applying pre-harvest glyphosate

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission is reminding wheat producers to know the moisture content of their crop before applying pre-harvest herbicides and to always apply according to the label information. MORE

Two simple spray tips can make or break Canadian crops

Farmers have a lot on their plates as they head into the spraying season. The Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada and Pulse Canada are reminding growers of best practices that can have a major impact on marketing grain. Proper pesticide use is a critical factor in growing export-quality grain. MORE

New record set for Prairie grain throughput in 2016-17

Western Canada’s grain industry moved a record volume of grain in the 2016-17 crop year that ended July 31 and is gearing up to ship this year’s crop, expected to be the smallest in four years. MORE

Prairie wheat commissions to collaborate on research funding

The Prairie provinces’ three wheat commissions are set to take a team approach to research funding through a new not-for-profit body. MORE

Get scouting, soybean aphids showing up in fields

When populations hit 250 and are still rising consider applying an insecticide, but don’t forget to take beneficial insects into account. There’s an app for that MORE

Syngenta Celebrates 150 Years in Vegetable Seeds

Sluis and Groot, a legacy company of Syngenta, was founded in 1867 in the Netherlands as exporters of cabbage seeds. Today, Syngenta is one of the world’s leading vegetable seed companies with 30 crop species and 2,500 varieties. MORE

Wheat extends drop to fresh contract lows

U.S. wheat futures sank to contract lows on Tuesday, weighed down by abundant global supplies and technical selling as prices extended a fall that started in early July. MORE

The decision depends on how much you lose to spoilage, so you need to think like a grocery store produce manager MORE

BHP Billiton puts off decision on Prairie potash mine

With its Saskatchewan potash mine project about 70 per cent dug, major Australian mining firm BHP Billiton now says it won’t be seeking board approval to bring the mine into production in 2018. MORE

EU starts in-depth probe of Bayer-Monsanto deal

The European Commission has started an in-depth investigation of Bayer’s planned US$66 billion takeover of U.S. seeds group Monsanto, saying it was worried about competition in various pesticide and seeds markets. MORE

CSS Farms Acquires Agri-Pack

CSS Farms’ recent acquisition of Agri-Pack LLC in Pasco, Wash., and its Northwest farming operations extends the South Dakota-headquartered potato and onion grower-packer-distributor’s presence to 13 U.S. states. MORE

UK Food Exports to China Climb Up 35%

British food and drink exports saw record growth in the first half of this year, rising by 8.5 per cent on the same period last year, buoyed in part by a 35 per cent increase in exports to China. MORE

On August 12, 1971, hundreds of PEI farmers boarded their tractors and proceeded to bring traffic to a halt on the province’s major roadways. Held during the peak of the tourism season, the demonstration continued for ten days. This talk examines the highway demonstration’s inspiration, context, and consequences. The farmers were protesting the way the provincial government had neglected issues around family farms and the Government’s lack of promotion of economic rationalization and modernization which had been set out in the government’s 1969 Comprehensive Development Plan. Dr. O’Conner has a Ph.D. in Canadian history, with expertise in the history of environmental activism, the Sixties, oral history, the history of recycling, and Canadian politics.
The event will start with a nutritious and delicious brunch at 11:30. After brunch, the talk will commence. The meal will be served in the room that once hosted Earl Grey, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and John McCrea at the same time, as guests of Sir Andrew MacPhail.
The cost is $25.00 ($20 for members).
Please call the MacPhail Homestead at 902-651-2789 to make your reservation.

5th Palmer Conference (2017)

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16

The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.

The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017

Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.

For more information please call 902-969-1632

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Thought leaders to come together to learn more about public trust in food and farming

Interest in public trust in the food system and the challenge to earn it with consumers continues to grow – from the farm and ranch right through to Canada’s largest food service companies. A unique mix of thought leaders of all ages from throughout the country, across supply chains, governments, industries and academia will come together in Calgary next month.

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) Public Trust Summit “Tackling Transparency – the Truth about Trust” will be held September 18-20th. MORE

Island Organic Picnic Sunday, September 24, 2017 4-7PM

Come join your PEI organic farmers & friends to celebrate another growing season, another harvest, and all of the important, hard work that goes into the good food we are so fortunate to eat. Lots to catch up on!

This year’s fundraising event will take the form of a gourmet picnic, as always featuring the variety and outstanding quality of organic food grown locally by our members across the Island, and prepared by the wonderful Chef Emily Wells of the Mill in New Glasgow. Festivities will also include garden games, face painting, an organic-inspired raffle, cash bar, music and more, all taking place in Canada’s largest community garden – the Legacy Garden in downtown Charlottetown.

Tickets are $35/$15 for children under 10 (children under 2 are free)/$20 for PEI COPC members.

The picnic will include:
– Your choice of a drink (kombucha, beer, wine)
– A variety of main dishes, soup and salads
– A dessert

In the event of rain/inclement weather, the fun will be moved indoors, to the Farm Centre.

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Goats and turkeys die in Cherry Valley barn fires

The Vernon River Fire Department responded to a barn fire in Cherry Valley, P.E.I., early Saturday morning, but could not stop a fire that destroyed three barns and killed some livestock. MORE

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced today the appointment of Geneviève Parent as a part-time member of the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal. The appointment is for a three-year term. MORE

Federal, provincial governments consider help for farmers after B.C. wildfires

Government help may be on the way for farmers and ranchers hard hit by wildfires that have charred more than 8,450 square kilometres of timber, range and farmland in British Columbia. MORE

DFC Response to the Montreal Economic Institute

On August 17th, 2017, the Montreal Economic Institute released yet another misleading paper in their ideologically fuelled quest to rid Canada of supply management. MORE

Securing Pesticides

Recently, we’ve been getting some questions from growers about how to properly secure pesticides in vehicles and on the farm. This is a great question. Properly securing pesticides will ensure that only you and other properly trained employees are able to access and use these products. This will minimize the potential for human harm and prevent environmental damage. It can also prevent vandalism and theft.

Here is what you need to know about securing pesticides.

On the farm, pesticides must be kept in a location that can be secured or locked when the grower or their employees are not around. The best way to meet this requirement is to keep pesticides in a building, room, or cabinet that can be locked. You can also meet this requirement by simply ensuring that pesticides are kept behind closed doors or in a closed cabinet, out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.

In or on a vehicle, pesticides must be secured to the vehicle to prevent spills or leaks during transport. This means that pesticide containers cannot roll over, fall, or break open, even when the road is uneven or bumpy. The best way to keep pesticides secure during transport is to place the containers in a separate cargo box that can be locked. If your vehicle does not have a separate box, you can fasten pesticide containers to the vehicle with hauling straps (bungee cords are not an appropriate alternative to hauling straps).

If you need to leave the vehicle unattended while transporting pesticides, they must be locked in a compartment so they are not accessible to the public. If you do not have a lockable box on your vehicle, you cannot leave it unattended. Drive straight from your vendor to your pesticide storage facility.

In addition to these requirements, here are a few best practices that you should consider:

transport pesticides by themselves

always keep pesticides away from sharp items that could puncture or split a container during transport

ask if your vendor can deliver your products to you

make sure there are no broken bags or open cartons and no leaking containers

never accept any damaged containers from your vendor

make sure that each container has a label

keep a list of the pesticides, with their full name and PCPA registration number, in case pesticides leak or spill from your vehicle during an accident.

On August 12, 1971, hundreds of PEI farmers boarded their tractors and proceeded to bring traffic to a halt on the province’s major roadways. Held during the peak of the tourism season, the demonstration continued for ten days. This talk examines the highway demonstration’s inspiration, context, and consequences. The farmers were protesting the way the provincial government had neglected issues around family farms and the Government’s lack of promotion of economic rationalization and modernization which had been set out in the government’s 1969 Comprehensive Development Plan. Dr. O’Conner has a Ph.D. in Canadian history, with expertise in the history of environmental activism, the Sixties, oral history, the history of recycling, and Canadian politics.
The event will start with a nutritious and delicious brunch at 11:30. After brunch, the talk will commence. The meal will be served in the room that once hosted Earl Grey, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and John McCrea at the same time, as guests of Sir Andrew MacPhail.
The cost is $25.00 ($20 for members).
Please call the MacPhail Homestead at 902-651-2789 to make your reservation.

American dairy divided: Some want Canada’s supply management left alone in NAFTA

The American dairy industry is split on the question of Canada’s supply-management system as national negotiators get set to hold their first session on agriculture Saturday in North American free trade talks. MORE

Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16

The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.

The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017

Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.

For more information please call 902-969-1632

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

A test for embryo viability
Panveesh Madan, a researcher at the University of Guelph, says he is close to developing a test for the viability of embryos for transplanting. MORE

Yearlings define feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets became more established this past week as early yearling sales captivated major feedlot operators. Prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels; however, larger volumes confirmed the price structure. MORE

National Beef Retail Activity Index Lower in W33

The national beef retail activity index was lower last week but largely following the normal seasonal decline MORE

Live cattle at nine-month low for third straight session

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures eased to their lowest level in nine months on Monday as the seasonal supply build-up pressured wholesale beef prices for a third consecutive session, traders said. MORE

NAFTA a boon for U.S. cattlemen

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Kendal Frazier today testified on Capitol Hill in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and warned Congress against using the treaty’s renegotiation to resurrect failed policies like mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL). MORE

IFA Demands Ag Minister’s Intervention on Beef Prices

IFA President Joe Healy said the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed can no longer ignore the major cuts in cattle prices at the meat factories that have left beef farmers facing losses this year. MORE

Japanese Beef Buyers May Get Frozen Out by Tariff Hike

Japan’s newly imposed emergency tariff on frozen American beef has raised a question about the wisdom of hanging on to a relic of a bygone trade framework when securing enough beef to meet domestic demand could become a challenge amid the tightening global supply. MORE

National’s Trade Myopia Sees Japan Slap Tariffs on NZ Beef

New Zealand First says beef farmers throughout New Zealand are suffering from National’s negligence to secure a bilateral trade deal with Japan, like Australia’s success three years ago. MORE

White House Announces Argentina to Open to US Pork; More Details to Follow

Last week, the White House announced in a news release that the US and Argentina have reached an agreement that will allow US pork to be exported to Argentina for the first time since 1992. MORE

Smaller Than Expected Hog Slaughter Numbers

The sharp break in pork belly prices last week was something that market participants had been pondering for a while but the speed with which it took place certainly got futures to pay attention, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

Drug Resistance in Intestinal Parasite of Piglets Confirmed for First Time

The parasite Cystoisospora suis causes diarrhea in pigs, especially in newborn piglets, and is capable of quickly spreading across farms. MORE

Steam Out of Pig Market in Past Few Weeks

In his “Traffic Lights” commentary for 18 August, Peter Crichton reports that some of the steam has come out of the pig market in the past few weeks with extra pigs around as well as a slightly more fickle demand for some parts of the pig, with loins harder to sell, but prices are still very much in producers’ favour and underlining demand remains firm MORE

Cattle and hog inventories were up on July 1, compared with the previous year. This was the second consecutive year-over-year increase for the cattle inventories. However, sheep inventories were down for the fifth year in a row. MORE

Researchers at PennState’s College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a new approach to more efficiently convert potato waste into ethanol, as Pennsylvania has more than two dozen companies manufacturing potato chips. MOREGlobal Potato Processing Market to Reach USD30.85bn by 2022

The global potato processing market was valued at USD22.74bn in 2016 and is projected to reach USD30.85bn by 2022, at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period, according to the report “Potato processing market by type (frozen, chips and snack pellets, dehydrated), application (snacks, ready-to-cook & prepared meals) MORE

POTATO RESEARCH LAB SHARES MILESTONES AT OPEN HOUSE

Benoit Bizimungu spends about 12 years working on a single type of potato, trying to develop a more resilient crop that requires less fertilizer or chemical. MORE

Ground-penetrating radar may help breed early maturing potatoes

Ground-penetrating radar might help the potato industry save water, according to Dirk Hays, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant geneticist in the soil and crop sciences department at College Station. MORE

“Australia’s food waste problem starts at the farm”

Australian studies indicate that around 25 per cent of horticulture production is lost inside the farm gate. Most of this is thought to be avoidable with approximately 80 per cent of these losses able to be eliminated. MORE

Large potato production for Poland this year

Poland is set for a large potato production this season; with large volumes good quality and low prices. MORE

Avebe has started up its potato starch plants for another season

The potato season of cooperative Avebe got under way. The first loads of members’ potatoes have been delivered to its starch production plants in Ter Apelkanaal and Gasselternijveen and both factories are already up and running. MORE

Iverk Produce to supply €70m worth of potatoes to Aldi Ireland

Iverk Produce and Aldi Ireland have agreed a new three-year contract that will see the Kilkenny based fruit and vegetable wholesaler provide Aldi with €70m worth of Irish-grown potatoes. MORE

Potato Europe 2017 in Emmeloord, The Netherlands, coming up in three weeks

In three weeks PotatoEurope 2017 opens its doors. The deputy of the province of Flevoland will have the honor of opening the trade fair. MORE

Despite damp weather, most of Ontario’s wheat harvest has escaped high levels of fusarium mould that can lead to vomitoxin challenges. MORE

Hi-tech cultivator cuts weeds down to size

Inter-row cultivator uses a camera and computer to get rid of weeds MORE

Corn drops to nearly one-year low

U.S. grain prices fell about one per cent on Monday, with benchmark Chicago Board of Trade December corn sinking to a nearly one-year low, on technical selling and easing concerns that dry weather would reduce harvests. MORE

U.S. farmers confused by Monsanto’s Xtendimax instructions

With Monsanto’s latest flagship weed killer, dicamba, banned in Arkansas and under review by U.S. regulators over concerns it can drift in the wind, farmers and weed scientists are also complaining that confusing directions on the label make the product hard to use safely. MORE

U.S. seeks WTO dispute panel on China’s grain import quotas

The United States has requested a World Trade Organization panel be set up to investigate Chinese tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) for agricultural products, the WTO said on Monday, setting up a showdown between the two largest economies. MORE

On August 12, 1971, hundreds of PEI farmers boarded their tractors and proceeded to bring traffic to a halt on the province’s major roadways. Held during the peak of the tourism season, the demonstration continued for ten days. This talk examines the highway demonstration’s inspiration, context, and consequences. The farmers were protesting the way the provincial government had neglected issues around family farms and the Government’s lack of promotion of economic rationalization and modernization which had been set out in the government’s 1969 Comprehensive Development Plan. Dr. O’Conner has a Ph.D. in Canadian history, with expertise in the history of environmental activism, the Sixties, oral history, the history of recycling, and Canadian politics.
The event will start with a nutritious and delicious brunch at 11:30. After brunch, the talk will commence. The meal will be served in the room that once hosted Earl Grey, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and John McCrea at the same time, as guests of Sir Andrew MacPhail.
The cost is $25.00 ($20 for members).
Please call the MacPhail Homestead at 902-651-2789 to make your reservation.

5th Palmer Conference (2017)

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16

The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.

The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017

Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.

For more information please call 902-969-1632

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Off the vine: Green peppers stolen from Farm Centre Legacy Garden

The Farm Centre had the majority of its green pepper stolen from its Legacy Garden Monday night, according to general manager of the association Phil Ferraro. MORE

A Food Policy for Canada will set a long-term vision for the country’s health, environmental, social, and economic goals related to food, while also identifying actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve Canada’s food system. MORE

Governments assessing impact of wildfires on British Columbia’s agriculture sector

The governments of Canada and British Columbia (B.C.) are working under the AgriRecovery disaster framework to determine the type of assistance that may be required by British Columbia’s agriculture sector to recover from the impact of wildfires. The announcement was made today following the first meeting between Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham. MORE

Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16

The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.

The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017

Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Job Opportunity

POTATO INDUSTRY COORDINATOR

FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED POSITION – Charlottetown, PE

Closing date – Thursday, August 17th at 4:00pm

The purpose of this position is to serve as a coordinator for all potato related programs and activities within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Potato Industry Coordinator will also, in cooperation with industry, develop innovative ideas or projects in the potato sector and take action to ensure they are successfully completed. The incumbent will work closely with other departmental staff, producers, industry leaders, agri-processors and other departments or agencies to bring projects to fruition. MORE

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Wednesday reversed some of Tuesday’s advances, led by fund liquidation and expectations for softer prices for slaughter-ready, or cash, cattle this week, traders said. MORE

Can Beef Packers Pay More for Cattle, Still Stay in the Black?

In their latest “Daily Livestock Report” Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. poses the question, “Can beef packers pay a bit more for cattle and still stay in the black?” MORE

IFA President Says Beef Price Cuts Must Stop

IFA President Joe Healy said beef price cuts at the meat factories must stop as they are squeezing out any chance of profit for farmers grazing cattle this year. MORE

Dairy Farmers of Canada in Washington, D.C.

Representatives from Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) are in Washington with their supply managed partners for the beginning of the re-negotiations of the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The dairy sector is not a part of the current edition of the free-trade agreement with the United States and Mexico, and DFC President, Pierre Lampron, hopes the status-quo will remain. MORE

Ag Ministers’ Continued Support Key to Pork Industry Success

The Chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says the commitment of Canada’s Agriculture Ministers to programmes that support trade will play a key role in the continued success of Canada’s pork industry MORE

Fire claims 4,000 pigs
Fire claimed about 4,000 pigs in a barn in Warwick Township near Watford in Lambton County this week.
The loss will be more than $1 million from the blaze that totally destroyed the barn. MORE

Keep Pork Trade Flowing in Updated NAFTA, Says NPPC

With negotiations set to begin tomorrow, the National Pork Producers Council has repeated its request that a “modernised” North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) maintain the zero-tariff rate on pork traded in North America. MORE

Pig-to-person Spread of Flu at Fairs Cause for Continued Concern

The spread of influenza among pigs is common at fairs and other gatherings, and protective measures including cutting the length of time pigs and people congregate make good sense for both the animals and humans, say the authors of a new study. MORE

The Philippines will deploy hundreds of troops to hasten a cull of about 600,000 fowl, the farm minister said on Wednesday, as part of efforts to rein in the Southeast Asian nation’s first outbreak of bird flu. MORE

Alberta’s potato industry is worth more than $1 billion but is threatened by a tiny bacterium. This year, however, a Lethbridge scientist reports, it hasn’t shown up. MORE

Potato-bound Polyphenols: A Novel Method for Gut Health?

The ability of polyphenols to bind with different types of potato cells may provide a new means of delivering these healthy organic chemicals to the gut, say researchers. MORE

Potato Industry Leadership Institute applications being accepted
In February of 2018 a group of potato industry professionals will make their way to Colorado, to kick off another class of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI). The National Potato Council developed this long-running program, to train growers, and show the complete picture of agriculture. The Michigan Potato Industry Commission has funding to send two growers to join the group. MORE

As Indian FMCG powerhouse ITC rolls out frozen prawns in select cities in the country, the company has lined up a few more product offerings — potatoes, tomatoes and onions — in the packaged foods category across the frozen, chilled, cool and ambient shelf-life segments. MORE

The Chinese Government and leading potato processing company Xisen Potato Group are investing GBP3m in the collaboration with James Hutton Limited (JHL) to breed new varieties and research resistance to pests and diseases, tuber storage and potato processing. MORE

Roman Coba, the chief information officer of McCain Foods, discusses how MicroStrategy, an enterprise analytics and mobility company, has enabled McCain to completely transform its business—from developing a single enterprise reporting environment, to improving safety on the production line, to helping sales and marketing better understand McCain’s customers and prospects. MORE

U.S. takes tough lines as NAFTA negotiations begin

The United States drew a hard line for renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday, demanding major concessions aimed at slashing U.S. trade deficits with Mexico and Canada and boosting U.S. content for autos. MORE

JBS still seeks U.S. unit IPO

JBS SA will proceed with plans to list a U.S.-based unit when market conditions allow, as the world’s No. 1 meatpacker wrestles with a shareholder revolt over the role of the controlling Batista family in a massive graft scandal. MORE

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

In an industry that lives and dies by the weather, farmers like Dwight Foster are looking for all the help they can get to know what’s coming. MORE

Alberta agriculture groups see opportunity to ‘improve’ NAFTA with start of talks

Several of Canada’s most prominent agricultural organizations offered last-minute advice to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in Edmonton Friday, ahead of the first round of NAFTA talks, set to begin in Washington August 16. MORE

Bumblebee colonies at risk of extinction after pesticide exposure: Study

A widely used pesticide is placing bumblebee populations at an increased risk of extinction, a new study from an Ontario researcher suggests. MORE

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Job Opportunity

POTATO INDUSTRY COORDINATOR

FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED POSITION – Charlottetown, PE

Closing date – Thursday, August 17th at 4:00pm

The purpose of this position is to serve as a coordinator for all potato related programs and activities within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Potato Industry Coordinator will also, in cooperation with industry, develop innovative ideas or projects in the potato sector and take action to ensure they are successfully completed. The incumbent will work closely with other departmental staff, producers, industry leaders, agri-processors and other departments or agencies to bring projects to fruition. MORE

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Filipinos can now enjoy British beef following a new export deal estimated to be worth £34 million. MORE

New Zealand’s Beef Cattle Herd Continues to Grow

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says that during the past year, New Zealand’s beef cattle herd increased by 2.8 per cent – to 3.6 million head – while the decline in the sheep flock slowed sharply as sheep numbers recovered in key regions after drought and other challenges. MORE

Cereal Based Pork Production Offers Marketing Edge

The Chair of Swine Innovation Porc suggests cereal-based pork production offers Canada an edge in the global market place MORE

More acreage, yields will be required to fill capacity at processing facilities in Alberta, New Brunswick. MORE

Dry Weather Has Maine Growers Hoping for Rain

August is a critical month for the growth of potatoes. With harvest occurring in September, at this time potato fields already have blossomed and the tubers have started to grow from petite new potatoes into full-sized ones—if there’s enough rain, that is. MORE

The Chinese Government and leading potato company, Xisen Potato Group have committed £3 million to a collaboration with James Hutton Limited (JHL) to breed new varieties and research resistance to pests and diseases, tuber storage and potato processing. MORE

Scottish Potato Industry unites to fund major Blackleg Research project

A group of major potato businesses and public sector organisations including the Scottish Government and AHDB have sponsored a £242,000 (USD 313,000) research project aimed at reducing the impact of potato disease blackleg on the Scottish seed potato industry. MORE

Scottish seed potato exporters set to increase tonnage to Brazil and Kenya

Government representatives from Scotland and Brazil met in July to simplify the import classification requirements for seed potatoes. The game-changing meeting was organised and funded by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). MORE

Agreement to defend Canary “papa bonita”

The heat and drought recorded this year have especially affected the harvest of the Canary “papa bonita” potato, as these conditions are favourable for the appearance of the Guatemalan potato moth. MORE

South African potato sales grow by 24%

From January till July this year, an extra 12.9 million 10kg bags were sold on South African fresh produce markets than were sold at the same time last year; up 24%. As a result, market prices are 37% lower during the same period. MORE

UK invests $5m into potato farming in Zambia

The British government has invested US$5 million into potato farming in the Northern Province of Zambia, to boost agriculture production in the region and contribute to the country’s economic diversification programme. MORE

Provide a healthy, competitive crop stand to help battle back weed pressures MORE

Diagnosing phytophthora root rot in soybeans

Holly Derksen with Manitoba Agriculture talks about the disease and why you can’t just rotate your way out of it MORE

Goss’s wilt makes its first appearance of the year

Goss’s wilt in corn and Phytophthora root rot in soybeans have been among the pathogens noted in the provincial disease and insect updates MORE

Soy, spring wheat extend losses on technicals, weather

U.S. soybean and spring wheat futures pared losses on Monday but still closed lower as technical selling and outlooks for favourable crop weather continued to pressure prices following steep declines last week. MORE

The rain dilemma for U.S. corn, soybeans

Localized storms are making widely used weather models less meaningful to the market MORE

Researchers say there are plenty of plant-based unhealthy dietary choices out there MORE

How ‘Big Ag’ Connects to Consumers Who Want Local

Consumers have more opportunity than ever to buy local, with more than 8,200 farmers’ markets sprinkled across the U.S., according to a new report from the USDA. In fact, the report cites a 180 percent increase in farmers’ markets from 2006 to 2014—a clear indication that more people want a connection to the farmers producing their food. MORE

Turning friends into targets

Be glad you aren’t the CEO of a major machinery manufacturer in the new era of Donald Trump MORE

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Roger Henry is out in the fields of the Harrington Research Centre north of Charlottetown on a day in late July. The wind is a bit rough, but he’s got a good degree of protection standing among the Yellow blossom sweet clover he’s growing. It’s just about at seven feet tall now. MORE

Antique Farm Show set for Kinkora Aug. 12

The fourth annual Antique Farm Show at R&L Farms in Kinkora is set for Saturday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MORE

A Food Policy for Canada will set a long-term vision for the country’s health, environmental, social, and economic goals related to food, while also identifying actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve Canada’s food system. MORE

Efforts to Reduce Pollution from Agriculture Slowly Paying Off

Efforts by farmers to reduce the amount of fertilizer that reaches drinking water sources can take years to have a positive impact, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo. MORE

In 1896, David Crozier ventured to what is now Sturgeon County, just north of Edmonton, where he purchased Cutbank Farm from William Cust. This land, which lies on the shores of Cutbank Lake, has remained in the Crozier family for 120 years. Today, David’s great grandson Lenard owns and operates Cheslen Dairies with his sons, Jason and Brett. MORE

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Job Opportunity

POTATO INDUSTRY COORDINATOR

FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED POSITION – Charlottetown, PE

Closing date – Thursday, August 17th at 4:00pm

The purpose of this position is to serve as a coordinator for all potato related programs and activities within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Potato Industry Coordinator will also, in cooperation with industry, develop innovative ideas or projects in the potato sector and take action to ensure they are successfully completed. The incumbent will work closely with other departmental staff, producers, industry leaders, agri-processors and other departments or agencies to bring projects to fruition. MORE

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Canada’s meat inspection system safe, says cattlemen’s group in wake of critical U.S. audit

Claims by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it found “systemic” problems around food inspection in Canada should not alarm consumers, according to a spokesperson for Canadian beef producers. MORE

Supply jitters extend CME live cattle futures losses

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell for a fourth straight session on Thursday, dragged down by growing worries about hefty near-term supplies, traders said. MORE

Feedlot Placements in June Up 16% from Previous Year

Weekly data on feeder cattle trade volumes for July could be indicating an end to the surge in placements of cattle going into feedlots that has been so notable for the last five months, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

PED Infected Premises 61 Confirmed in Manitoba

The Office of Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed the first new case of PED in Manitoba in almost four weeks MORE

Global Meat Prices Plateau in July

In July the FAO food price index rose for the third consecutive month to 179.1 points, 2 per cent higher on the month and 10 per cent up on the year, according to Millie Askew, Senior Analyst at AHDB. MORE

The Director of Risk Management with h@ms Marketing Services says the pork industry remains cautiously optimistic as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement MORE

China promotes livestock farming to digest corn stocks

China wants to turn its grain basket in the northeast into a national meat and dairy production base, said the agriculture ministry on Thursday, as part of a broader plan to create stronger demand for the region’s main crops. MORE

Late blight has been confirmed in Manitoba in the rural municipality of Norfolk Treherne, the south central potato growing region in the province. MORE

2017 ONTARIO POTATO FIELD DAY

The Ontario Potato Field Day will be held on Thursday, August 17 at the Alliston HJV Equipment location. MORE

What Makes Threatening Potato Diseases so Successful

All but a few of the plants and animals we’re familiar with have one thing in common: they require oxygen in the atmosphere (or the water) to exist. Potatoes, people, dogs, cats, fish, corn, wheat and nearly everything else, including most species of bacteria and fungi, need oxygen. MORE

Potato Corner CEO shares secrets to food cart success

Potato Corner CEO Joe Magsaysay built the french fries brand into a global franchise business with annual sales of P1 billion (almost 20 million USD). MORE

Eritrea gets disease resistant potato variety

Efforts to develop select potato seeds on the part of Halhale National Agricultural Research Institute (HNARI) are producing encouraging outcomes, according to Mr. Musie Fekadu, Head of Bio-Technology at the Institute. MORE

Potato research in Eritrea results in suitable disease resistant variety

Efforts to develop select potato seeds on the part of Halhale National Agricultural Research Institute (HNARI) are producing encouraging outcome, according to Mr. Musie Fekadu, Head of Bio-Technology at the Institute. MORE

Sharp hike in Mexican fresh potato prices

The Spanish-language potato news website Argenpapa reports that potato retailers are experiencing a sharp rise in the price of fresh potatoes in certain areas of Mexico, especially in Tamaulipas, a state in the northeast of Mexico, bordering the U.S. Some traders report a hike of as much as 100 percent. MORE

Mexican ban on American potatoes set to continue

Two of America’s most beloved produce items, the potato and the avocado, are complicating trade relations with Mexico. On August 4th, Mexican courts voted to continue to ban American potato imports into their country, aside from a small 16-mile zone directly at the border. The judge and others cited pest control concerns as a reason for the ruling. MORE

At the 2017 Maritime Wild Blueberry Field Day, Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell promised the 325 growers from the three Maritime provinces attending the event at Doug Bragg Enterprises in Collingwood, N.S., that he will work with his New Brunswick and P.E.I. ministerial counterparts to improve the wild blueberry market. MORE

History was made on June 9 when 10 acres of Cerveza malting barley were planted on Larch Grove Farm in Cormack, N.L. MORE

Producers explore the ABCs of do-it-yourself soil health tests

The science behind soil health might be complex, but most of the tests showcased during the latest Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives workshop could be done with equipment bought from a dollar store. MORE

Aphid-borne virus found in Manitoba oat fields

Oat fields in central Manitoba are fighting off barley yellow dwarf virus. MORE

Hemp industry looks to overcome growing pains

Hemp is no longer a complete novelty — but it isn’t exactly mainstream either. MORE

Wheat Board has bad news for grain producers

With BSE still to appear in Canada in August 1998, it may not have been realized just how important our Aug. 13 front-page story would be. Former Canadian Cattlemen’s Association general manager told his annual meeting in Edmonton about the new project to develop a national cattle identification program. MORE

Pest Patrol: Why are we looking at the Harrington Seed Destructor?

The old saying “one year’s seeding makes seven years’ weeding” perfectly captures why most farmers despise uncontrolled weeds and the tens of thousands of seeds that are dispersed across their land. MORE

Turn up the heat on aeration fans when drying canola

Some growers grappling with a late harvest and high-moisture crops in 2016 added supplemental heaters to their aeration fans. This grower’s experience may inspire an upgrade to aeration setups for 2017 MORE

Corn, soybeans, wheat futures dive after USDA report

U.S. soybean and corn futures tumbled nearly 4 percent on Thursday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s yield and production forecasts for both crops came in above trade expectations. MORE

USDA sees bumper U.S. corn, soy harvests despite weather woes

The U.S. 2017 corn and soybean harvests will be bigger than expected despite a slow start to planting and concerns that hot and dry conditions stressed the corn crop during critical periods of development, the government said on Thursday. MORE

Farmers like to have fun too. Visit the grandkids out in Alberta, head down to Florida when the doldrums of winter are at their worst. Even a weekend in the city wouldn’t be bad. But a quick getaway isn’t so simple when you’ve got a barn full of livestock needing regular everything. MORE

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Dry spell: Island farmers desperate for more rain

While some Island farmers may have breathed a sigh of relief during last weekend’s rainy weather, the general manager of P.E.I.’s potato board said he hopes future forecasts call for more precipitation—and lots of it. MORE

‘Kept so quiet’: Details of amalgamation kept under wraps, say some residents

Some residents who live in the unincorporated Georgetown, P.E.I., fire district say they’re being shut out of ongoing amalgamation talks in the area. MORE

High school students are growing garden in Morell

High school students in Morell are growing a garden right in the school’s backyard. It’s called Good Food, Good Health, The Morell Garden Project. MORE

Cows brings home ribbons from international cheese competition

Three cheeses from P.E.I.’s Cows Creamery brought home ribbons from the American Cheese Society competition in Denver, Colo. last month. MORE

Farmer hopes bacon will solve crime: ‘That’s what we have to offer’

After two major thefts within two months at his free-range animal farm, Melvin Burns is hoping people’s taste for bacon can help solve the crimes. MORE

Rural living good for your gut

Living in rural households decreases a person’s risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly for young children and adolescents, according to a new study by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and the Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium (CanGIEC). MORE

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Job Opportunity

POTATO INDUSTRY COORDINATOR

FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED POSITION – Charlottetown, PE

Closing date – Thursday, August 17th at 4:00pm

The purpose of this position is to serve as a coordinator for all potato related programs and activities within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Potato Industry Coordinator will also, in cooperation with industry, develop innovative ideas or projects in the potato sector and take action to ensure they are successfully completed. The incumbent will work closely with other departmental staff, producers, industry leaders, agri-processors and other departments or agencies to bring projects to fruition. MORE

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Major and rapid price changes seem to be the new normal in cattle markets. There have again been larger market swings than anticipated in 2017, but overall the market has been better than expected. MORE

Feeder market anticipates higher feed grain prices

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher. MORE

Market uncertainty weighs on CME live cattle futures

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were weakened on Tuesday by uncertainty over how much packers will pay for cattle this week and whether the seasonal lull in wholesale beef demand has ended, traders said. MORE

New Farm Minister Not Interested in Rethink of US Beef Import Curbs

Ken Saito, newly appointed minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, says he is not considering rethinking the country’s safeguard emergency import restriction system for beef, which has been criticized by the United States. MORE

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said cattle supplies at the meat factories this week are tighter than anticipated and factories are finding it more difficult to cattle at the lower quoted prices. MORE

The Director of Risk Management with h@ms Marketing Services says the normal gradual seasonal increase in hog supplies over the next three months can be expected to negatively impact live hog prices MORE

Gestating sows probably need more feed
Federal researcher Dr. Chantal Farmer has found that gestating sows probably need more feed to boost their milk production. MORE

June Results Confirm Strong First Half for US Pork Exports

US pork and beef exports continued to trend above year-ago levels in June, capping a very strong first half of the year. MORE

A committee led by district surveillance officer will survey poultry farms, chicken shops and piggeries in Dakshina Kannada, a coastal district in the state of Karnataka. MORE

Danish Pig Breeding Herd Still Edging Up

The number of sows in Denmark has increased again based on data from the 1 July pig survey. This follows the small year on year increase in the 1 April pig count, according to Leo Colby, AHDB Consultant. MORE

Chicken producers pleased with specialty quota ruling

The controversy over Manitoba Chicken Producers’ (MCP) new annual specialty quota program has been resolved with both sides satisfied they were treated fairly by a ruling from the Manitoba Farm Producers Marketing Council (MFPMC). MORE

Tyson posts better-than-expected profit, bets on chicken

Tyson Foods Inc reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results on Monday, sending its shares up 5 percent, and said it would ramp up chicken production in the face of record demand from U.S. consumers. MORE

Some Wisconsin potato growers are applauding new state laws that could help protect against crop disease. MORE

Potatoes in Practice event coming soon

Potato industry representatives, growers and influencers from all over the UK and beyond are expected in Dundee to take part in Potatoes in Practice (PiP) 2017, a technical potato field event featuring a high-standard mix of science, technology and practical advice which will be the largest of its type in the UK. MORE

The Americans are pushing for their wheat to be graded the same as Canadian wheat when delivered to a Canadian elevator. MORE

Pot farmers needed

With a projected $22 billion in sales, Canada’s new cannabis market is generating a very heady kind of buzz in farm circles MORE

Latest ‘Crop’ Report to be First to Incorporate Extensive Survey For Farmers

Participants in the livestock sectors will be paying attention to this Thursday’s “Crop Production” report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

Study suggests ways to reduce soybean harvest losses

Soybean growers can avoid major seed losses at harvest time by using air reels and driving combines no faster than four miles per hour, a new study says. MORE

Soybeans firm on U.S. weather worries; corn, wheat lower

U.S. soybean futures rose on Tuesday, buoyed by worries about dry weather in parts of the U.S. MORE

According to Bruce Cochrane, the Executive Director of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan says, by interacting directly with consumers, those involved in agriculture have an opportunity set the record straight on what they do and why they do it. MORE

Dufferin’s tile drainage bylaw a ‘template’ for others

Rural municipalities are responsible for controlling drainage, and a few years ago the RM of Dufferin realized that needed to include tile drains. MORE

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Contact Jennifer at 902-368-7289 or jmurphy@peifa.ca to register. Only a few spots left, please contact by 4:00pm today, Monday August 7th.

Local, Regional, Canadian News

**SAVE THE DATE**

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Farmers Helping Farmers annual fundraising steak barbecue

Saturday Aug 12 from 4-6:30.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

5th Palmer Conference (2017)

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Job Opportunity

POTATO INDUSTRY COORDINATOR

FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED POSITION – Charlottetown, PE

Closing date – Thursday, August 17th at 4:00pm

The purpose of this position is to serve as a coordinator for all potato related programs and activities within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Potato Industry Coordinator will also, in cooperation with industry, develop innovative ideas or projects in the potato sector and take action to ensure they are successfully completed. The incumbent will work closely with other departmental staff, producers, industry leaders, agri-processors and other departments or agencies to bring projects to fruition. MORE

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

US meat exports were higher in June but the trends were more positive for beef than for pork and chicken, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

BJP Seeks Probe into Cattle Deaths

AS the State BJP demanded a probe into cattle vaccination against Theileriosis, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Damodar Rout on Monday said, he has directed an inquiry into cattle deaths due to Theileria disease. MORE

Cattle Market Ruins Businesses, Uplifts Projects

The country’s largest cattle market, set up in KDA Scheme 33, has made the lives of locals miserable, ruined the real estate business besides disrupting the upcoming residential projects. MORE

The Chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says recent better economic times in Canada’s pork industry have helped improve the ability of Canada’s business risk management programs to protect pork producers from sudden unexpected downturns in profitability MORE

Total Shipments of Fresh/Frozen, Cooked Pork in June Higher Than a Year Ago

US meat exports were higher in June but the trends were more positive for beef than for pork and chicken, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

Maintaining Zero Tariff Rate on Pork Top Priority for US Producers

The National Pork Producers Council says maintaining zero tariffs on the movement of pork is the top priority of US pork producers as the US, Canada and Mexico move to modernise NAFTA MORE

Few Changes in European Markets

This current week, there have been no essential changes reported regarding the mostly steady situation on the EU slaughter pig markets. The quantities on offer remain on a below-average level over the entire continent. MORE

Parkland Potato Varieties will be hosting it’s annual open day at the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alberta on August 18th from 10 am to 2 pm. MORE

New Restrictions for Wisconsin Potato Producers

Wisconsin potato producers are facing new restrictions aimed at preventing crop disease, referring to the requirement that growers to use certified seeds and limited time to threat late blight disease. MORE

Indiana grown red potatoes available now

The red potato harvest began the first week of August at Black Gold Farms’ operation in Winamac, Indiana, located about 2 hours south of Chicago and the same distance north of Indianapolis. MORE

Optimizing Potato Fertilization on Irrigated Soils

Optimum potato growth and profitable production depend on many management factors, one of which is ensuring a sufficient supply of nutrients. There are 14 soil-derived elements or nutrients considered to be essential for growth of plants. MORE

Updated Organic Production Guide Available

Cornell University has released an updated version of its guide for organic potato production. MORE

Potato industry representatives, growers and influencers from all over the UK and beyond are expected in Dundee to take part in Potatoes in Practice (PiP) 2017, a technical potato field event featuring a high-standard mix of science, technology and practical advice and the largest of its type in the UK. MORE

August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.

This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Contact Jennifer at 902-368-7289 or jmurphy@peifa.ca to register. Only a few spots left, please contact by 4:00pm today, Monday August 7th.

Local, Regional, Canadian News

**SAVE THE DATE**

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Farmers Helping Farmers annual fundraising steak barbecue

Saturday Aug 12 from 4-6:30.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Helping Prince Edward Island Farmers Identify and Mitigate Risk

The Government of Canada is committed to working with agricultural industry partners and the private sector to explore and develop new risk management tools that meets the needs of Canadian farmers when faced with serious challenges beyond their control. MORE

Notice to Industry: Final List of Designated Regions for 2016 under the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision

The final list of designated regions where livestock tax deferral has been authorized for 2016 due to drought conditions in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia is now available. MORE

Study abroad

More young people, including young farmers, are heading overseas to expand the skills they’ll bring back home MORE

KAP hopes improved checkoff ready for its next fiscal year

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) hopes Bill 35, legislation to amend its funding checkoff, will be law by the start of KAP’s new fiscal year Dec. 1, 2017. MORE

CETA Expected to Ultimately be Worth Up to $1.5b to Canadian Ag-Food Exporters

The President of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is confident, once fully implemented, the trade agreement involving Canada and the European Union will be worth as much as one and a half billion dollars annually MORE

Environmental Farm Plan Renewals

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

It was a slightly busier time for auction marts around the province as over 650 animals made their way to market during the last week of July. That compares to just 300 last week. MORE

Lean hog futures turn higher on cash discounts

Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs settled higher on Friday, with buyers attracted to futures that remained undervalued compared to prices paid by packers for market-ready, or cash, hogs, traders said. MORE

IFA Accuses Factories of Undermining Beef Market

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has accused the factories of undermining the beef market with unnecessary cattle price cuts geared at eroding confidence at farmer level. MORE

Chinese Bio-tech Company Joins Animal Vaccine Cluster in Kansas

China’s largest animal vaccine company is going to a part of the US where the industry action is. MORE

Although the SPP moved up another .32p to stand at 164.75p, a few more pigs seem to becoming available and spot buyers were slightly quieter than they have been in recent weeks, with most deals in the 167p-172p range according to spec, according to Peter Crichton in his “Traffic Lights” commentary for 4 August. MORE

IFA Accuses Pig Processors of Undermining Pigmeat Market

IFA National Pigs Chairman Tom Hogan has accused the pig processing factories of undermining the pigmeat market with unnecessary price cuts and he urged all pig farmers to strongly resist price pressure from processors this week. MORE

Workshop Offers Variety Meat Ideas for Philippine Pork Processors

Encouraging Philippine companies to use more US pork, USMEF organized a technical workshop on fibrinogen utilisation in variety meat for research and development departments, production operations and management staff of meat processors in Manila, Pampanga and Cebu. MORE

A Canadian monitoring program for potato pests has proven very valuable and offered good news for potato growers. The program began in 2013 in cooperation with Scott Meers, an insect management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. MORE

Potato Growth and Irrigation Scheduling

All plants vary in their water requirements according to their size and growth stage as well as the length of their maturity and time of year of maximum growth. Possibly no other major crop varies in its sensitivity to water stress based on growth stage than potato. MORE

New Wisconsin State laws force potato growers to apply best practices

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed two new measures involving the potato industry last Wednesday. MORE

Mexican court blocks import of potatoes from the United States

A Mexican federal court has made an unusual ruling that bans the import of potatoes from the United States on the grounds the imports violate Mexicans’ right to food sovereignty and a healthy environment. MORE

NPC Warns Against UK-Imported Potatoes

Last week, the National Potato Council (NPC) provided comments to USDA APHIS on the recent pest risk assessment for the importation of potatoes from the United Kingdom to the U.S. MORE

Potatoes in Practice: Britain’s largest technical potato field event is this week

Potato industry representatives, growers and influencers from all over the UK and beyond are expected to descend on Dundee to take part in Potatoes in Practice (PiP) 2017, a technical potato field event featuring a high-standard mix of science, technology and practical advice and the largest of its type in the UK. MORE

Plateau, BlackPace sign $65m MoU to increase potato production

BlackPace Africa, an Africa-focused investment management and advisory firm, and the Plateau State government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) towards a joint development arrangement to upscale potato production in the state and set up a potato processing facility in Jos, the state capital. MORE

Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved lower during the week ended August 3, as declines in the US futures weighed on prices. However, weakness in the Canadian dollar provided support and helped basis levels see some modest improvement. MORE

Legal pot may breathe life into small Canadian towns hit by resource losses

In a tree-nestled First Nation community on Vancouver Island, forestry and farming used to be the major industries that kept the economy humming and put food on families’ tables. MORE

The ground is so dry and deeply cracked on Todd Lewis’s farm in southern Saskatchewan that he says if a wrench is dropped down one of the crevasses, “we’ll never find it.” MORE

Plant-based meats whet U.S. summer grilling appetites

Burgers made from plants instead of animals are capturing more space on U.S. barbecue grills this summer, fueling sales in the niche products that could reach $5 billion globally by 2020. MORE

Soybean, wheat futures fall but corn firms

Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures fell on Friday, pressured by outlooks for rain and cool weather in key U.S. growing areas that will foster development of the crop during critical periods, traders said. MORE

MicroGen Biotech: Tackling Pollutants in Soil

Irish biotech company MicroGen Biotech is developing products that use microbes—the broad range of single-celled organisms that are found all around us—to increase crop yield, improve food safety, and promote soil health. MORE

Cargill, Southern States Cooperative, Inc. Enter into Purchase Agreement for Animal Feed Business

Cargill has reached an agreement to acquire the animal feed business of Richmond, Virginia-based Southern States Cooperative, Inc., a move that will help the company better serve its customers in the eastern United States. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to customary approvals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

A hay shortage in parts of southern Saskatchewan is causing problems for the agriculture industry in the province and may deal a killing blow to smaller cattle operations, says the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. MORE

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished in bullish territory for a third straight session on Thursday, helped by firmer wholesale beef values, said traders. MORE

Meat industry blamed for ocean pollution
Pollution from the meat industry is being blamed for a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico at a time when researchers say the dead zone will the third-largest in history this summer – as big as New Jersey. MORE

US Beef Industry Champions FTA

The US beef industry urged Washington not to change the free trade agreement with South Korea because it’s been so beneficial to it. MORE

Cargill is now the exclusive producer of the Simply Essentials™ brand of premium Black Angus beef products. Cattle dedicated to the Simply Essentials™ brand are fed a proprietary, flaxseed-based diet prior to harvest. MORE

Finance Minister to Discuss Frozen Beef Import Tariffs with US

Finance Minister Taro Aso said Tuesday that Tokyo would raise the issue of tariffs on frozen beef imports from the United States and other countries in bilateral economic talks with Washington later this year. MORE

Taiwan’s Restart of Honduran Beef Imports Marked with Pomp

The first batch of beef imported from Honduras in several years arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday last week, fulfilling President Tsai Ing-wen’s promise made earlier this year during a visit to the Central American ally to bolster bilateral cooperation in agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. MORE

How $4.2 billion became $350 million
Canada’s dairy industry will have to make do with $350 from the federal government to prepare it for free trade with Europe. MORE

ASF Kills 150 Pigs in Brong Ahafo Region

About 150 pigs have been killed at Twoaho in the Tano North District of the Brong Ahafo Region following an outbreak of the African Swine Fever. MORE

HCM City Seeks to Trace Pork Origins

Starting Monday (31 August), only pork with traceable origins is ostensibly allowed to enter HCM City’s two wholesale markets, but inspections by authorities found that only around 13 per cent of the pork in the markets actually had clear origins, according to the Department of Industry and Trade. MORE

Russia Limits Live Pigs, Pork Imports from Romania

The Sanitary-Veterinary Authority from Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) announced this Wednesday that starting 2 August, it introduced temporary restrictions regarding live pigs and pork imports from Romania, after the discovery of a virus, according to Itar-TASS. MORE

Unions Demand Compensation for Lety Pig Farm Employees

The trade unions of agriculture workers have demanded a compensation amounting to two-year wages for the employees of the pig farm in Lety, south Bohemia, situated at the site of a former Nazi camp for the Roma, if the state bought it, the unions told CTK today. MORE

Three types of potatoes genetically engineered by an Idaho company to resist the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine are safe for the environment and safe to eat, Canadian officials said recently. MORE

MCCAIN FOODS LIMITED ANNOUNCES SENIOR LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION PLAN

McCain Foods Limited’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved the appointment of Max Koeune to the role of President and CEO effective November 1st, 2017. MORE

Colorado Crop Promising; Demand Slightly Down

The Colorado potato crop looks excellent, but prices are stagnant, raising hopes that the Trump administration’s much-discussed renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will make headway in opening greater access to the Mexican market. MORE

Equipment provider Tummers announced the recent development in its range of machinery, as the company says that is continuously working on improving their machinery, the process, service and other aspects to apply to the demands of the market. MORE

Volm Opens New Facility in Washington

Volm Companies, an industry leader in providing the highest-quality packaging and equipment solutions to the fresh produce industry, has opened its new 90,000-square-foot facility in Pasco, Wash. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house were held July 25 at the property site. MORE

Avebe finds fertile land at the Zernike Campus to ‘grow’ their new Innovation Centre

A potato time capsule was taken as the symbolic basis for ongoing innovative development by Hans Hoekman, chairman of Avebe’s Supervisory Board, and Ed Kraaijenzank, CFO, also vice-chairman of the Avebe’s Board of Directors. MORE

Some producers in the south have started harvest, according to the latest Saskatchewan Agriculture crop report for the week ended July 31. MORE

Flowery fragrance touted as new hort pest control

Methyl benzoate’s spicy, floral-fruity aromas make it a popular ingredient in perfumes, soaps, and shampoos. MORE

Hail damage in soybeans continues to rise

Soybeans are having a ‘hail’ of a time in Manitoba, thanks to two of the worst years for hail damage in recent memory. MORE

Something old for something new

The key to branding any product is to start with a good story, and the recently re-instated registration of OAC21, a six-rowed malting barley, is a “feel good” story, particularly with Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017. MORE

Beneficials on the rise against soybean aphids, root rot, fusarium in fields

Diamondback moth continues to be a concern in some areas, although it is the pupa stage that is now dominant in some fields. MORE

Argentine wheat seedings slowed by rain

Argentina’s hope for a near-record wheat crop have been dampened by excessive rain and below-average seedings. MORE

Soybeans fall to 1-month low as weather boosts prospects

U.S. soybean futures dipped to a one-month low on Thursday as beneficial rains crossed the Midwest crop belt, bolstering yield prospects for the oilseed crop, traders said. MORE

Researchers find soybean substitute for microbeads
Researchers have found a substitute for plastic microbes that threaten ocean environments and were banned in the United States in 2015. MORE

Hot, dry American summer unlikely to dent USDA’s corn harvest view

The full impact of a hot and dry summer in the U.S. Midwest is unlikely to show up in the government’s next estimate of the U.S. corn crop as it typically makes just small adjustments to its harvest outlook during August. MORE

Asian taste for western diet boosts Australian wheat

Vietnam has quietly grown to become Australia’s second largest export destination for wheat. MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE

Poor weather hitting raspberry crop

Some P.E.I. raspberry growers say this year has not been good for the berries. MORE

Results of P.E.I. agriculture evaluation now available online

The results of an evaluation and consultation process to help develop programs and policies for the future success of P.E.I.’s agriculture industry are now available online. MORE

P.E.I. groups purchase food for Kenyan students, but more help needed

Farmers Helping Farmers and the Souris Village Feats have stepped in to provide food to six drought-stricken schools in Kenya that are twinned with P.E.I. schools. MORE

Dairy sector gets funds for technology, less import control than hoped

The Bee Health Roundtable recently published two documents related to honey bee health MORE

Abbotsford approves bid for removing farmland protection

Abbotsford City Council voted in favour of removing land from the Agricultural Land Reserve Tuesday, despite opposition from farmers. MORE

Manitoba’s golden years for agriculture

Canada 150: The two decades following the Second World War saw massive changes to Manitoba farms, and the following years those changes continued unabated MORE

Statement from DFC in reaction to government’s Dairy Farm Investment Program

Yesterday, the Government of Canada announced the administrative details of the $250 million Dairy Farm Investment Program that will be implemented to mitigate some of the negative impact on Canada’s dairy farmers coming as a result of the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). MORE

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

No matter how excellent your product, your business will only be as successful as the customer service you offer. Though that sentence is so often repeated it’s become cliché, it is also absolute reality. For seed potato growers, offering excellent customer service means anticipating and meeting all of a customer’s needs, from reliable product to knowledgeable answers to seed quality verifications and regulatory requirements. MORE

Beef Export Sales to NAFTA Countries Up 7%

Predictably retail beef features declined in the second half of July and this likely contributed to the down trend in the value of the cutout, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

As part of the 100-day action plan inked during President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump’s meeting in Florida in April, China is once again allowing imports of US beef. MORE

IFA Welcomes Resolution on ICBF Funding

IFA President Joe Healy said the IFA welcomed the agreement reached between the Department of Agriculture, ICBF and tag suppliers in relation to the funding of ICBF, announced by Minister Creed this week. MORE

Manitoba Pork Confident PED can be Eradicated

The Chair of Manitoba Pork says, eradicating Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea from the province will be a challenge but he’s confident it can happen MORE

Support for NAFTA Remains Strong Despite Trade Irritants

Bruce Cochrane reports that Chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says, despite the contentious issues surrounding trade among Canada, the United States and Mexico, support for continuation of the North American Free Trade agreement remains strong within the agriculture sector. MORE

UK Pig Meat Production in H2/2017 Lower Than Previously Expected?

The “July Pig Meat Outlook” review is now available, assessing the accuracy of the UK pig meat production and trade forecasts produced in April, Bethan Wilkins, AHDB Pork analyst reports. MORE

Modular chicken loading means processor, farmer investment

Benefits include improved animal welfare and better workplace safety MORE

State FFA officers experience many aspects of Michigan agriculture, including potatoes
For the fifth year the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) co-sponsored the Michigan FFA Business & Industry Tour in cooperation with Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. This year’s tour focused on the Saginaw valley and thumb regions of Michigan and included various aspects of potato production, potato equipment manufacturing and potato processing along with a variety of other agricultural enterprises. MORE

The Little Potato Company Celebrates the Official Grand Opening of its New Processing Facility in DeForest Wisconsin

The Little Potato Company celebrated the official grand opening of its new U.S. processing facility in DeForest, near Madison, Wisconsin on July 27, 2017 MORE

McCain Foods appoints Max Koeune as President and CEO as Dirk Van de Put leaves for Mondelēz International

McCain Foods Limited’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved the appointment of Max Koeune to the role of President and CEO effective November 1st, 2017. MORE

Many questions remain about Western Canada’s malt barley crop, but many analysts appear to expect at least an adequate harvest. MORE

Soybean, corn market futures await USDA data

Improving Midwestern weather forecasts weighed on soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade during the week ended August 2, with all eyes now turning to upcoming USDA data. MORE

Corn, soy firm on bargain-buying after one-month lows

U.S. corn and soybean futures firmed on Wednesday, rebounding from one-month lows set in both commodities a day earlier, but outlooks for improved weather for U.S. crops continued to keep prices in check. MORE

Senators Seek to Ban Chlorpyrifos

A group of U.S. senators has filed a first-of-its-kind bill in Congress that would require the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient in Lorsban and other insecticides that are used in a number of row and orchard crops. MORE

Millions May Face Protein Deficiency Due to Human-caused CO2 Emissions

If CO2 levels continue to rise as projected, the populations of 18 countries may lose more than 5 per cent of their dietary protein by 2050 due to a decline in the nutritional value of rice, wheat, and other staple crops, according to new findings from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. MORE

Bunge Ltd kept the door open on Wednesday to a sale of the company as it reported a 34 percent drop in quarterly earnings and cut its full-year outlook, but its chief executive officer predicted a grains market rebound that would reverse the slide. MORE

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.

Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.

Call 902-393-0071

Public, industry weigh in on future of agriculture

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has published a report detailing public and industry feedback on a new five-year agriculture policy framework for P.E.I. MORE

Father and son from Georgia run high bush blueberry project on P.E.I.

A father and son from the state of Georgia run a 1000-acre ranch in Lorne Valley, P.E.I., where they are planting high bush blueberries — a rarity on the Island. MORE

Advancing an Innovative and Competitive Dairy Sector

A strong dairy industry and a competitive agricultural sector are vital to Canada’s prosperity, creating good jobs, growing the middle class, and bringing high-quality products to the tables of Canadian consumers. Budget 2017 recognizes that agriculture and agri-food is a key growth industry by supporting science, innovation and the overall competitiveness of the sector, to create better opportunities for farmers and Canadians. MORE

The federal and provincial governments are providing up to $1.3 million in grants through Growing Forward 2 to help northern Alberta food processors upgrade equipment, expand capacity and improve efficiency to meet a growing demand for high-quality, value-added products. MORE

The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.

EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.

If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/

Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.

Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.

The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were hard to define over the past week given the limited numbers on offer. MORE

Beef rings speak volumes of local history

These early informal co-operatives kept beef on the table in the warm summer months before refrigeration MORE

Beef Production for W30 Up 5.7% from a Year Ago

Livestock markets were under the influence of the summer doldrums last week, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

Higher beef price boosts CME live cattle futures

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Tuesday recovered some of their recent losses, helped by the morning’s wholesale beef price turnaround, traders said. MORE

Irish Farmers Resisting Beef Price Pressure, Says IFA

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said farmers are strongly resisting unnecessary pressure from the factories this week on cattle prices. MORE

Beef Tariff Hike Threatens UK-Japan Trade Relations

Japan’s decision to hike tariffs on frozen beef imports from the United States could disrupt sales and harm trade relations between the two countries, US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Friday. MORE

Ghanaian man milks know-how from Ontario dairy to help home country

An ambitious agriculture apprentice wants to recreate Ontario’s bucolic cow pastures and vast mechanized dairy farms in a place where a glass of non-powdered milk is considered an exotic drink. MORE

PED jumps Red River
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus has jumped the Red River to infect a hog operation in the Altona-Gfretna region.
That increases infection zones to nine since the highly infectious and deadly disease blossomed in Southern Manitoba this summer. MORE

The Manager of Swine Health Ontario credits a programme where pork producers share their farm’s swine health information with helping dramatically reduce the number of farms infected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea MORE

Manitoba Works to Eliminate New More Virulent Strain of PRRS

The President of the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians says the will is there to eliminate a new more virulent strain of PRRS MORE

Pork Production for W30 Up 2% from a Year Ago

Livestock markets were under the influence of the summer doldrums last week, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE

Czech Beef, Pork Production Down; Poultry Production Up

Beef and pork production in the Czech Republic decreased in the second quarter of the year while poultry production rose, according to figures released by the Czech Statistical Office. MORE

Coalition Supports Nomination of Censky as USDA Deputy Secretary

The National Chicken Council this week joined other agricultural organisations in supporting the nomination of Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary for the US Department of Agriculture. MORE

For the past three decades, potato yields in Eastern Canada have been falling worryingly behind those of other regions. MORE

ALLISTON, ONT. POTATO FARMER JOHN O. MACKENZIE HONOURED

There’s a new monument honouring the man whose innovations in potato farming helped make Alliston the spud capital of Ontario. MORE

PROTECTING YOUR STORED INVESTMENT

Managing storage temperature is an enormous step to ensuring top quality product. MORE

Washington Crop Looking Good

Last winter’s heavy snowfall and a wet 2017 spring put Washington potato growers in the fields later than the 2016 season, but reports from the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) indicate a good crop is coming in. MORE

LATE BLIGHT AND POTATO PSYLLIDS BOTH DETECTED IN NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota State University (NDSU) plant pathologist Dr. Gary Secor announced July 27 that late blight was confirmed in a potato sample from Pembina County in northeast North Dakota. Since then it has been determined the outbreak is more widespread with finds in Walsh and Nelson Counties as well. MORE

POTATO FARMING FAMILY FINDS ROOM TO GROW

As a kid growing up in the Netherlands, JP Claassen knew he wanted to be a potato farmer just like his dad. MORE

The major western Canadian grain companies have identified five pesticides they don’t want used on the crops they buy MORE

CLIMATE CHANGE, COVER CROPS AND CARBON CREDITS

The benefits of cover crops to soil health and, consequently, farm productivity are well discussed and widely known among scientists and farmers alike. MORE

Detecting spoilage before it starts

An adaptation of cancer-screening technology offers a better and safer way to check for grain bin moisture, with a bonus of theft detection MORE

Agricultural startup BVT bets on bees to protect crops

On a perfect sunny afternoon in late May at Organics Family Farm in Markham, Ont., David Passafiume is carefully dotting his newly planted strawberry field with eight man-made bumblebee hives. MORE

Good quality, but small caliber Canadian chickpeas expected

Hot and dry conditions cut into the yield potential and physical size of Canada’s chickpea crop, but the quality should be excellent while prices remain relatively strong. MORE

Crops could become jet fuel
Air Canada, Westjet and other Canadian airlines say their jets could be fuelled by farm crops and forests.
They are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint to meet political and environmental goals. MORE

Durum forecasters predict steady and strong market

For farmers able to nurse their durum across the finish line this harvest, prices in the winter could make it worth their while. MORE

Soy slides as crop ratings, weather boost supply prospects

U.S. soybean futures fell more than 3 percent on Tuesday after an unexpected improvement in the condition of U.S. crops eased concerns that recent hot weather would hurt yields. MORE

A newborn calf in Texas has strikingly similar black-and-white facial markings to KISS frontman Gene Simmons, and the rock star likes their shared look. MORE

Mosaic shares tumble on disappointing fertilizer guidance

U.S. fertilizer producer Mosaic Co on Tuesday forecast slower phosphate sales and weaker prices for the current quarter, causing shares to plunge as much as 9 percent. MORE

Send them out to the barn

It’s already known that farm kids are less prone to asthma, but a new study by immunologists from the University of Zurich has identified sialic acid found in farm animals as the reason. MORE

Producers Favor Little Change in Farm Programs

Don’t screw up what we already have – That’s the word from the agricultural field to elected representatives in Washington concerning farm bill talks and budget proposals. On no subject does that advice apply more than on the issue of crop insurance. MORE

ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) is seeking marketing/market research expertise to conduct an organic consumer market study in New Brunswick (and possibly all the Maritimes). The organization is accepting proposals until August 2nd at noon. Full details can be found here.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Open House on Prince Edward Island

Join us as we celebrate 150 years of agriculture and showcase agricultural research and innovation at the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre on Prince Edward Island.

3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***

From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?

We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.

This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.

Draft Schedule:

Day 1- Airbrake theory

Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection

Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)

Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned

Lunch will be provided

For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.

Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th

Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative

The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.

The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.

Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.

Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.